Openings & Closings

Another quiet week around the city, as even B4-U-Eat had only two restaurant closures to report and not a single, solitary opening aside from the long-awaited grand re-opening of Mai's on April 9. Have you been back yet?

Amber Ambrose writing for Houston Entree has an interview with celebrity chef Paul Petersen, who'll soon be opening a second location of Vivo, a "sexy" Tex-Mex restaurant that's already immensely popular in its hometown of Austin. Ambrose raises the pertinent question, however, that with a Tex-Mex scene that's stronger than it's been in years, does Houston really need an Austin import?

Finally, news of Greatfull Taco's now trademark quirkiness has spread far and wide. CultureMap's Sarah Rufca reports on some of the more eccentric items that owner Paul West has planned for his Torchy's Tacos-inspired restaurant on Shepherd: "When it opens on April 17, Greatfull Taco will also boast a premium sound system on the patio (West often seems as excited about the restaurant's music as the menu), a Skype phone in the bathroom vestibule and an eVgo electric car charging station, perhaps the first in the city."

If you want to be among the first to get the Greatfull Taco experience, West is selling tickets to his grand opening/Earth Day Festival that will take place this Sunday, April 17. Tickets are $10 and include live music from songstress Brandi Carlile and Seattle band Fences. The event will take place from 2 to 6 p.m. and tickets can be purchased through Warehouse Live.